Senate Bill 546 aims to enhance the circuit court and criminal justice system in Wisconsin by adding new branches and positions in various counties. Specifically, the bill proposes the establishment of four additional circuit court branches: one in Brown County and one in Menominee and Shawano Counties, both starting on August 1, 2027, and another two branches in Brown County and Kenosha County, beginning on August 1, 2028. The bill also authorizes the creation of numerous positions, including judges, court reporters, assistant district attorneys, and assistant state public defenders, with specific numbers and timelines for each position outlined in the bill.

To support these changes, the bill mandates that the director of state courts, district attorneys, and the public defender board include funding requests for the newly authorized positions in their 2027-29 biennial budget proposals. Additionally, a report analyzing workload and personnel needs must be submitted to the legislature by December 31, 2032. The bill includes amendments to existing statutes, such as increasing the number of branches in Kenosha and Brown Counties and Menominee and Shawano Counties, with specific legal language indicating these changes.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 753.06(2)(a), 753.06, 753.06(8)(a), 753.06(9)(h)